Experiment Conditions

28 June 2016

• Non-calculator 
• The NO MUSIC test is taken in silence/quiet areas
• The WITH MUSIC test is taken with music playing through headphones. The music is produced by myself and it is the independent variable in this experiment
• A scrap piece of paper is given, which is optional, for calculations 
• The time taken to complete the quiz is recorded. Incorrect answers gain a 60-second penalty added on (which is to stop people from randomly circling numbers and guessing). These should be rare.
• Individuals who take the first quiz must wait at least one day before taking the second quiz.
• The time taken by each individual is not compared to others’ times, but instead to their own times. This means it doesn’t matter how quickly or how slowly someone completes the test, and whether or not they like maths. The average time taken to complete the quiz should be approximately 6 to 8 minutes. 
• The percentage increase is calculated and this is the value used to compare data.

For the WITH MUSIC test, there are 2 songs played in a loop for each person. This makes 4 in total used in this experiment. I may submit more than 4 as the artefacts, though. They are:

• Soundless Serenity (4AM)
• 5PM
  or
• Summer Evening (7PM)
• Graceful Aurora (8AM)

The two songs that play are chosen randomly by selecting a number from 4, 5, 7 or 8. 

Both playlists have one fast-paced song (4AM and 7PM) and one slower-paced song (5PM and 8AM).

Correct and incorrect answers are important. Some people, who may take longer, may get all the answers correct due to the effects of the music on them, but people who take less time may get incorrect answers.